How to Create a One-Part Mold in Fusion 360 - Learn Autodesk Fusion 360 in 30 Days: Day #20

How to Create a One-Part Mold (to 3D Print) in Fusion 360 // Welcome to Day #20 of Learn Fusion 360 in 30 days. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to 3D model a simple one-part mold for 3D printing.
We’ll take a look at how to use the Combine feature to subtract one body from another. Also, stay tuned for Day #21 where we’ll take a look at how to create a more complex two-part mold.
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TWO-PART MOLD VIDEO
• How to Create a Two-Pa...
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TIMESTAMPS
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0:00 - Create a one-part mold in Fusion 360
1:33 - Create keychain
2:58 - Create a hole for keychain
3:47 - Customize the keychain
5:40 - Create a box for the mold
7:27 - Cut the keychain out of the mold
9:03 - Draft analysis explained
9:57 - Fix the draft problems
-
Disclaimer:
This video description may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
#Fusion360 #ProductDesignOnline

[@ProductDesignOnline]

The two-Part Mold video is NOW out! Check it out -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHy9qWybfap_bNE - *TIMESTAMPS* 0:00 - Create a one-part mold in Fusion 360 1:33 - Create keychain 2:58 - Create a hole for keychain 3:47 - Customize the keychain 5:40 - Create a box for the mold 7:27 - Cut the keychain out of the mold 9:03 - Draft analysis explained 9:57 - Fix the draft problems

[@HerrSalat]

I only have one screen, so a lot of the time, the tutorial is just running in the background. In most cases I know what to do just by listening. That shows, how good it is explained. Thank you!

[@BillyBob-si2db]

I have been a student of F360 for about 1 year now and consider myself proficient... But I still like to watch tutorials as I often pick up little things here and there... I have to say HANDS DOWN your tutorials, are the BEST. Concise, easy to follow, sufficiently detailed, and short. Thank you and keep it up.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thank you! That means a lot to me! I will continue to make tutorials as long as I have great people watching them :)

[@Tubeularful]

I agree %100!

[@Tubeularful]

sorry 100%

[@paulsonntag4076]

Really enjoyed this lesson and was able to create a mold using different image. Thank you!

[@richardheadrick7863]

All your tutorials so far have been very helpful, I went from struggling to understand sketches and the revolve/loft function, to making this! I went from spending an large amount of time with each tutorial to now doing them maybe a pause or 2!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Richard. Glad to hear how much progress you've made! Keep at it... a lot of the features will continue to become easier with time. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@harikishanshetty5838]

You are just awesome! Thanks a lot brother. Immeasurable well wishes !!!

[@over60crafter]

Excellent tutorial. Total newbie here, and I am learning a lot from your tutorials.Thank you.

[@RandomSleepStage5184]

Such a pleasure to watch your tutorials.

[@RAHULKUMAR-cu6my]

THANKS KEVIN FOR THIS WONDERFUL CONTENT.

[@saint-clivierhubert8517]

J apprécie votre pedagogie qui prend le temps de detailler chaque étape avec la juste quantité nécessaire.

[@thomasm1935]

you are my favorite fusion teacher :) !

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Thomas! I appreciate your support and the kind words. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@andrewmack4830]

Another excellent tutorial. I am learning a lot about Fusion 360 from you. Thank you

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Andrew! Glad to hear that. Keep going :)

[@jwonderfulsuccess]

Excellent. Very thorough videos. Salut captain. 🙏

[@BORAGT201]

Awesome !!! :)

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Fanny! Glad you enjoyed this one. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@cbbosse]

Really helpful video!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Catherine! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@jonnyjohnson5025]

No joke, this was my absolute favorite video you have made so far! Don't get me wrong, all your other videos are gold, but this one really targeted my areas of interest. I personally do a lot of mold making and prototyping. So, if you are proficient with it, or even have some tips or tricks, I would love to see more on two-piece and three-piece molds. I do see that you have a video for that, but I'm assuming its still beginner level. I am going to watch it right now. Again, thanks so much for these. You are my second favorite KZbinr right now. Only led by the infamous Vsauce.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Jonny. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying these videos. I used to do a ton of mold making with 3D printing parts for rapid prototyping and higher-volume reproduction. I'll have to make some more videos in the future that cover some more advanced mold making techniques. I've added that to the list of video ideas. Thanks again for taking the time to watch and comment. I appreciate your support. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@chaselee86]

Thanks very much for the tutorials! Very helpful. One question about selecting the draft faces. I'm trying to use text as the logo, and that created many many vertical faces, and it's hard to select them one by one when using the "draft" command. Is there a simple way that I can select all vertical faces? Or should I extrude with an angle in the very beginning? Thanks very much!

[@iktita]

I come from doing all this stuff with autocad since 2005 (yes, autocad) and this tools are making me feel like i was a dinosaur. im geting adicted to fusion

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, F.S.Saldana. Glad to hear you're enjoying Fusion 360. It's a lot of fun and can definitely get addicting to make things! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@kennysmithtx]

When I add the 3 point arc and then do the sweep the text does not come outward. I did notice that I have a black dot at the intersection of the base and a white dot at the other end. Any tips on what I'm doing wrong?

[@iFLAM3S]

Hi. How can I center the keychain in the mold?

[@seanirby4311]

FYI the svg link is broken. Thanks for the great videos!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Sean! I've just updated the link now - bit.ly/pdo-logo-2 Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@jayeshjain2396]

Is it possible Converting STL mesh file to .stp or .iges

[@curryandapint]

This tutorial is exactly what I needed! *Thanks a lot*. The next step for me is the Setup and the Toolpath. Do you have a tutorial covering those?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Curry and a Pint. I don't currently have any CAM tutorials. I wasn't originally planning to create any, because there is another KZbin channel (NYC CNC) that solely covers CNC and CAM in Fusion 360. With that said, as the interests have been growing, I have been re-considering creating some beginner CAM tutorials. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@curryandapint]

@@ProductDesignOnline Thanks. I'm starting making food molds by CNC and trying to mill HDPE plastic. I used to do it using clay and plastic beads baked in an oven - the trouble was the method wasn't precise and the molds would go moldy (pardon the punn). I've now made my Fusion 360 mold and practise with my 3018 CNC machine on foam blocks. My trouble is the tool pushes sideways through the block. Fine on foam but it'd break on plastic. Any rate - I'll have a look through the 'NYC CNC' channel. *Thanks again*.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@curryandapint Sounds like a neat project - thanks for sharing! Let me know if you have any questions (I can try to answer them) after you browse the NYC CNC videos. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@bernardoloures9848]

Hi, I'm starting in 3D printing and I wanna know what's the purpose of this mold. For example, if I 3d print it, I'll need to fill it with a material?(since it's a mold)

[@kenchang3456]

Hi Kevin. This tutorial got me wondering. What 3D printer(s) do you use? What slicer (Cura, Simply3D, etc.)? Are you planning to do an end-to-end tutorial from thinking up a product to printing it including choice of filament? Hey, you gotta ask ;-)

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Ken. I've used a number of 3D printers over the years. Some commercial-grade and some consumer-grade: Stratasys, Makerbot, Ultimaker, Flash Forge, Ender 3, Dremel, Form Labs, and some others. While in college I worked in a 3D-printing lab so I was fortunate to have access to some pretty high-end printers. I currently use an Ultimaker or Ender 3 at home. I use Cura for all of my slicing needs. I have pondered the idea of doing some end to end videos with shots of items 3d printing, etc... my concern was straying too far away from the focus on F360...but it is definitely something I've been pondering. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@gretchenalder4328]

In the new UI, you have to turn off "Active Component Visibility" in Preferences to get the opacity to change.

[@gerrywildeman562]

Great video series, but I'm having a problem on this one. At 3:06 when I select reference to place the hole I can't select the line endpoint. I can select a fillet and the hole will snap to the centerpoint of the fillet. It's as if the 5mm line were not there???

[@johnyoung6479]

When I design things and want to 3D print. them I don't get Stl option I get mesh file ?

[@thebeastbrothers]

How can you center the logo with the other body?

[@JoeyBeavs]

I wish this was made with an already constructed body. The explanations are great but I am having trouble getting my 1 part mold made here

[@jwonderfulsuccess]

Hi not sure if you will see this but what is the spacing between a gear and worm gear thread. Each being 0.5 inches wide in total. Not even sure if you can answer that but I was thinking 0.01"? 😊

[@hejesya3098]

fusion is hard af

[@aaronziemann715]

Where's the link to the "mesh to DREP" (or BREP? Can't tell what you're saying) video you referenced?

[@thomaslum2]

Great video, my only suggestion would be to give people the svg file you are using so they don't have to pick their own. Your videos are very well made and informative, keep up the excellent work and hopefully those views and subscribers will continue to rise.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Thomas, thanks for your feedback! I've added the link to the logo to the description of this video. Here's the link to the logo - bit.ly/pdo-logo Cheers, Kevin :)

[@thomaslum2]

@@ProductDesignOnline Wow, thanks for the quick reply. Keep up the great work.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

You're welcome, Thomas! Thank you! :)

[@rickcrespo5410]

Any chance you have a video creating a mold for carbon fiber parts? Basic layup and vacuum methods?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I do not at the moment, Rick. That isn't great topic though. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@AshtonsPTW]

I am having trouble clicking on the red inside faces to change their angle in the draft, any ideas?

[@christalmightdelete7453]

Neither can I. Did you manage to find a solution?

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

:(((

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

Choose the face first then the plane, but what is draft umm.

[@StepInIsrael]

I feel like you must have mentioned this somewhere along the line, but I am confused about when to extrude as a "New Body", and when to extrude as "Join", if in both cases you want the extruded part ("new body") to be part of ("joined" to) the thing you're extruding from.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, StepInIsrael. That's a great question. In general, you want to "Join" bodies together anytime it would be one part or body in real life. In this tutorial, I set all of the logo bodies to "Join" to ensure that there was only one body that made of the keychain shape. This also helped further down the road when we went to split bodies to create the mold cavity. If we had multiple bodies it would've taken a few extra selections with the split body command. Some other scenarios I can think of where you may want to create a "New Body" instead of using the "Join" option are: -If you want to apply different appearances, materials or textures to the various bodies -If you're using the "Shell" command and don't want part of the body to be shelled (hollow) -If you're going to need to hide part of the body for any reason There are probably a number of other reasons that I didn't mention. Ultimately, it comes down to each use case and it's something you'll have to consider as you're modeling each unique part. Fortunately, you can always go back and change the operation by double-clicking on the extrude command in the timeline. I hope this helps a bit! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@farukz.9904]

when i do the draft analysis i cant see the red or green section like yours is there any difference in new version about that do u know. Thanks for the video

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Faruk. The draft analysis still functions the same. Make sure that you selected the direction. The colors won't appear until that aspect is done. If you can provide a link to a screenshot that will help me see if anything else is wrong.

[@farukz.9904]

@@ProductDesignOnline I solved the problem thanks for helping

[@mac63126]

@@farukz.9904 What was the problem?

[@justinhutchinson9507]

Can you do a cnc inlay for a positive and negative

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Yep! You could do that following this same process. I did a 3D Printing inlay video (same process for CNC): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpukkpWIoat0a5I

[@justinhutchinson9507]

@@ProductDesignOnline you have no idea how many times I have searched for something like this 😭 I just watched it. Thank you so much !

[@razidan3293]

Hi, I've managed to import the SVG, but immediately after press/pulling the first section, the svg goes away, and I can't continue to modify it (pulling the other two section). Did anyone encounter this issue? Thanks

[@jamescollard9724]

I am also encountering the same issue

[@jamescollard9724]

it appears that when I complete the Press/Pull on the first element, it also hides the original SVG sketch. I turned the sketch back on by clicking the "eye" icon next to the sketch and then I was able to Press/Pull the remaining two elements.

[@piyushpalsania7685]

i have watched this video

[@mbnaso2699]

I have the new UI. I am not able to restore defaults in preferences. After creating the box and fillets I was unable to see the midpoint symbol to place the line I had to use construction lines to set a midpoint. Also I was not able to use the reference function to choose the endpoint of the line to place the hole. I had to blow up the screen and drag the midpoint of the hole til it snapped in place. I was not able to choose the objects from the svg symbol individually when I choose one the other two disappeared. I had to hold down the shift key and choose all three and choose join then I was able to get the push pull operation to work. The length and with were backwards in the box setting also. Little help thanks

[@mbnaso2699]

Ok I had to make a change in preferences before I could reset it to difault. so thats ok now. I misunderstood the orientation you choose. Please ignore the post . Thanks

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@mbnaso2699 No worries, glad you got it sorted out... and that's correct. If it doesn't let you restore to defaults then that means none of your settings have been changed :)

[@AlexParton]

I hate to admit this, but I am not making it too far on this one. I imported your SVG, but when I got to do the press/pull it doesn't give me an option to select specific pieces. If i hover over any of the SVG it just selects the box that we just created. Thanks, sorry for all the questions today!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Alex. First, no need to apologize. That sounds strange. My best guess it that it's something to do with the visibility of your component or the SVG. Would you be able to share a link to a screenshot or the link to your file? That will help be decipher what's going on here. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@AlexParton]

@@ProductDesignOnline Hi Kevin, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Here is a link to my current work: a360.co/34gfAwA

[@gregpetrites4182]

I was running in to the same issue and finally found a way to do this... 1. Hide the body representing the keychain 2. Initiate press/pull. At this point you can select the section of the drawing and specify the distance and join, but do NOT click OK yet. 3. Show the keychain body. It appears the join only works on visible bodies 4. Click OK to complete the press/pull You'll need to perform all four steps for each of the elements in the logo.

[@sammewhinney5967]

FYI When I finished the mold I noticed there was a thin strip od material making a semi-circle in the mold. I went back to edit the svg sketch and noticed there were 2 circles so I deleted one, and that got rid of it to create a more cohesive indentation. anybody else have this problem or was that just part of the design?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Sam. Good catch. The SVG file of my logo seemed to have caused this. You're correct in that those thin faces should be deleted. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@sammewhinney5967]

@@ProductDesignOnline It may be worth editing the svg file for future viewers, but as long as people know and want to try printing the mold it would probably save some trouble

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@sammewhinney5967 Looking into it as we speak! Thanks :)

[@raunakkankaria7415]

After combining and selecting the operation to cut, the keychain object didn't cut from the Mould object. Where do you think I might have went wrong?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Raunak. That's hard to say without seeing your file, as there are many possibilities. Could you share the link to your file? To share your file please go to File > Share > Share Public Link (make sure "downloadable" is toggled on) > Paste your link here as a reply to this comment. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@raunakkankaria7415]

@@ProductDesignOnline a360.co/2PqTWl3

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@raunakkankaria7415 I took a look at your file. Overall it looks good! The only thing you needed to do was to make the extrude command with the text start on the other side of the keychain body. I would also recommend making that extrude operation "join" so you have fewer bodies to select for the cutting tool. Then, simply use the Split body command. Select your MOLD body as the "Body to Split" and the KEYCHAIN body as the "Splitting Tool(s)". Here's your file with the completed changes if you want to take a look - a360.co/2r7xww0 Cheers, Kevin :)

[@raunakkankaria7415]

Product Design Online thank you so much Kevin! I’ll review my mistakes. This series has really helped me learn a lot ! Keep up the good work 🔥

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@raunakkankaria7415 Thanks! Keep at it and don't hesitate to comment if you run into any more roadblocks. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@Andrew260RS]

Can someone help me with opacity. The only way I can get the opacity to work is if I apply a coloured appearance to the body. I have look everywhere on google and through the settings but no luck. Do I have to apply a colour to every body I want to change the opacity?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

You can right-click on a component in the Browser > Opacity Control > Select the opacity.

[@Andrew260RS]

Product Design Online Doing this does nothing. The opacity doesn’t change. After playing around, if I set a colour or texture than change the opacity it finally works. I tried changing the material in preferences but this doesn’t work. I still need to add a colour then change the opacity.

[@augustusoctavian7457]

How do you download .svg files?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Augustus. Are you looking to export SVG files from Fusion 360? If so, Fusion 360 cannot export SVG files. However, you can export DXF files, which many programs accept. If you're looking specifically for an SVG file then you can use a DXF -> SVG convertor, such as this kabeja.sourceforge.net/ Cheers, Kevin :)

[@augustusoctavian7457]

@@ProductDesignOnline Thank you, that is useful to know. Admittedly my question was simpler, I want to recreate the exact thing you do and I don't know how to download the SVG file you provide.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@augustusoctavian7457 My apologies for the misunderstanding. Simply click on this link (productdesignonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/product-design-online-logo.svg) > that should automatically open it in a new tab on your browser > right click and select "save as" > choose the location to save the file to on your local machine > (double check the file format is still ".svg" and hit save. Then, you'll be able to import the SVG file just like I did in the tutorial. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@edphelps2052]

Ummm... When I click on OK for the Draft Analysis, nothing happens, no color change. If I turn the light bulb on and off in the browser for the Draft Analysis, again nothing happens. Another glitch for Fusion! I had no problem selecting the Body and Direction in the Draft Analysis window just like Kevin did, but no color change, nothing. The rest went fine.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hmmm.... not sure why the color wouldn't appear. Have you tried closing the file or restarting Fusion 360? Any luck getting it to work?

[@edphelps2052]

@@ProductDesignOnline Yes, I went and reopened that design and it did work, thanks Kevin.

[@edphelps2052]

I learned sometimes you've just got to close and restart it! I keep learning!

[@ctbram0627]

Draft angle does not work as you show it!!!! 1. I do not get a gizmo to rotate to fine the minimum angle. 2. There is no option to select a face after you select direct anything I click is taken as direction!!!! 3. There is no single angle box!!! I have two boxes with sliders that can be pulled in two directions and jggling them al,l over the damn place I cannot get any face I want to turn green!!!!! VERY FRUSTRATING!@!!!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, ctbram0627. As far as I'm aware, the draft tool has not been changed since this tutorial was made. Can you please share some screenshots or share your file so I can take a look? That will help me decipher if its a settings issue or something else with your file. Share your public link as a reply to this comment. Here's a video explaining how to share a public link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aInVlKWai5JrgtU Then, please write a separate comment letting me know you've replied with a link because KZbin flags most links and I don't always get notified. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@ctbram0627]

Sorry this is my mistake. I did not see where you selected the Modify>Draft after selecting Inspect>Draft Analysis. So I was inside the draft analysis tool pulling on the draft angle sliders without being able to select the side I wanted the draft angle on. So I figured it out and it was just me missing a step in your video. Thanks for your reply.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@ctbram0627 No worries!! I'm glad you figure it out and I'm always happy to help. Keep at it! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@brandonleirer4928]

Hi, Kevin. Another great video! I am loving working through all of these. I had one sort of weird thing happen at the end, not a biggie really, but if it is any easy fix I would like to know how...so when I activated draft analysis, the whole object became semi opaque. I can still see red and green and everything, so I was able to do everything I needed to, but it just looks different than yours, so I was wondering why? I went back and checked that everything was set to 100% opacity, and the only thing that I did differently than you is I accidentally made my box that was used to combine with the keychain as a separate component instead of a body within the "keychain" component. Like I said, not a major issue, but if you happen to easily know what caused this, that would be cool. Thanks

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Brandon. Glad to hear you're enjoying the series! By default, Fusion 360 will "Ghost" all non-active components. That means, if your box component was active it will automatically make the keychain transparent or vise versa. More about this and how you can turn this feature off on my website - productdesignonline.com/tips-and-tricks/changing-the-opacity-of-bodies-and-components-in-fusion-360

[@giorgiaibba5341]

If you still want to support the channel by buying on amazon, but don't currently need any of the things linked, know that they still get a small commission on anything you buy in the 24h after you've clicked on it! affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/G9SMD8TQHFJ7728F Anyway thanks for the videos and helping me pass class!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Great tip, Giorgia. every little bit helps. Thanks! :)